Don't Get Me Wrong

I often wonder about the egotism of some people. Why do some people always have that undying need to be right, even when they are, beyond a doubt, proven to be wrong?

We’ve all met them. They are a breed unto themselves and can drive a teetotaler to get drunk without batting an eye.

Arguing seldom gets a person anywhere but frustrated. Not arguing only gets one a very sore tongue – from biting it so many times. I should know. I went from the first category to the second category and in either scenario, I was ready to punch a wall. Okay, well, not physically. After all, I don’t intend to break my hand just because someone gets me frustrated. What I do instead, is write. Like I’m doing now.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not a “know-it-all” by any stretch of the imagination. However, when a topic arises where I suspect a person to be misinformed, I’ll do my research before I open my big mouth – or put my words in writing.

For instance, a situation arose once, and I verbalized my thoughts in a “letter to the editor”. One person responded to me saying I was wrong and gave his explanation. Not sure who was right, I researched the topic and yes, I was wrong! Immediately, I wrote another letter to the editor, apologizing for my misinformation stating what research I’d done and why I believed I had been right. The gentleman called and said there was no need to apologize. He just wanted to set the record straight. I disagreed. When I’m proven wrong, I feel there is a need for me to apologize.

My friend’s husband and I disagreed about a certain location in our area. I said I knew the place well since I’d visited relatives there often. In a few choice words, he said I had no idea what I was talking about since it is deemed a preserve, and no one is allowed to live there. I brought out a map of the area indicating that the roped off half was, indeed, a wildlife preserve, and the other half was dedicated as residential. This man actually had the … hmm, how can I put this without sounding callous, audacity to tell me whoever drew the map was wrong. This was a state map! I didn’t draw it. It’s a map you can get at visitor’s centers, libraries, gas stations, etc. As I said, there are certain people.

Just the other day, someone said something to my husband that I, without a doubt knew wasn’t right. I wasn’t about to argue with my husband’s friend but, at the same time, I didn’t want my husband to be tempted to repeat false information. After checking several online sites, I had the correct information printed and ready to hand to my husband.

However, just to be completely sure, I spent the next 45-minutes double-checking the research I’d completed. Every online site said either the exact same thing or something very similar. I printed the information and handed it to my husband. He’s the one who decided to call his friend and tell him about his error. His friend stopped at our home to thank me for going out of my way to research the topic. He said the last thing he wanted to do was continue spreading false information.

He was one of the “nice guys”.

Just today, I encountered a fellow who insisted I was misleading in information I’d told a group of friends. One of my friends publicly disagreed with him and he began to shout that “he knew”. “He was there!” Well, so was I, and so it was at that point, I opened my phone and researched the topic and proved, once again, that his judgement was in error.

Rather than admit he was wrong, or apologize for making such a fuss, he huffed like the wolf in the three pig’s children’s fairy tale and walked away. We watched him leave in dismay wondering why there are people who cannot ever admit they're wrong.

Rich Warren once said, “The moment you stop learning, you stop leading.” I’d like to enhance his words. “The moment you stop reading, is the moment you stop learning, and the moment you stop learning, is the moment you stop leading.”

I completely believe that and that’s one of the reasons I love to read. I will be the first to admit that I don’t know everything, but for years, my sons have called me a “walking encyclopedia of non-sensical trivia” meaning that while I don’t know everything, I do know a lot about a little. And that’s why I keep reading.

Here is a poem I wrote many years ago:

I’ve traveled far and seen so much.

The world is at my finger’s touch.

Adventure lurks wherever I look.

All I need do is open my book.